San Andreas, CA — The CAL Fire Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit has responded to the massive 3,000 acre wildfire 20 miles north of downtown Los Angeles.

According to Emergency Command Center Communications Operator Peggy Sue Wagner the unit has sent one strike team of engines, two strike teams of crews, one strike team of dozers and Copter 404 from the Columbia Air Base to southern California.

With Santa Ana winds reaching 43 mph officials have been forced to close the Foothill Freeway between the 118 freeway and I-5.

The fire started Sunday morning. At that time 1,200 residents were evacuated. Over a thousand firefighters are on hand for the fire which has been listed as 20 per cent contained.